National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) President and CEO Gordon Smith announced that NAB 2021 will be postponed. It was previously scheduled for April 11-14, 2021. The new date will be October 9-12, 2021, in Las Vegas. The decision was made with consideration given to health and safety concerns, economic indicators, industry developments, and travel restrictions.

Through all of this we have witnessed growing concern and uncertainty over what the next six months will bring; enough that there appears to be a good deal of reluctance around participating in large events in the first half of next year. The pandemic remains a significant threat and the evidence suggests it will be well into next year before it could be under control in the U.S. We also have our own concerns around being able to deliver the type of event in April that will not only drive results, but one that can be produced safely for all involved and without significant limitations on the experience.

Taking all of this into account and in the interest of supporting the business, health and safety concerns of our show community we have decided to move the 2021 NAB Show, previously scheduled for April 11–14, to October 9–13, 2021 in Las Vegas.

Podcasters who were intending to attend NAB in April – in person – will need to change their plans. It sounds like NAB is giving people plenty of time make plans for NAB in October of 2021.

Typically, what comes out of NAB becomes the main focus for tech podcasters. In the past, tech podcasters went to the event in-person and streamed live video content while they interviewed people from companies who were introducing exciting products and services. It is unclear to me if NAB in October 2021 will be a live event – or a virtual one.